A Side Note on Rules and Regulations

The increasing use of our nation's parks and forests has led to an increase
in rules regulating recreationists' activities. Many of these regulations have
been imposed as a result of increased human impacts in these areas. A widespread
awareness of Leave No Trace will go a long way toward limiting the rules needed
to protect these wild places and protect the freedom of visitors.

Visitors who practice Leave No Trace can avoid the chain of events described
below. The negative impact of, and resulting increased number of, rules and
regulations is a cycle that can be broken, but only if outdoor visitors practice
the Leave No Trace skills outlined in this handbook.